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  Method and apparatus for controlling printing in thermal printerUSPTO Application #: 20060109337Title: Method and apparatus for controlling printing in thermal printer Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling printing in a thermal printer which includes measuring a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH), heating the TPH by applying a TPH driving strobe pulse when the temperature of the TPH is lower than a first set temperature, and printing on a thermal reactive paper when the temperature of the TPH is equal to or greater than the first set temperature. (end of abstract) Agent: Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P. - Washington,, DC, US Inventors: Gyeong-hun Jo, Jin-tae Chung USPTO Applicaton #: 20060109337 - Class: 347185000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060109337. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0095061, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 19, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling printing in a thermal printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling printing in a thermal printer while maintaining a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH) for applying a predetermined heat to a double-sided thermal reactive paper. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Thermal printers include a number of devices which typically use print paper (hereinafter, referred to as "thermal reactive paper") which displays a predetermined color by reacting to heat, and include a number of devices which typically use an ink ribbon which transfers a predetermined color to the paper by reacting to heat for printing. The devices using the ink ribbon require an additional apparatus for driving the ink ribbon so that the structure thereof is complicated and a final product is expensive. Also, since the ink ribbon is provided as a consumable product, it needs to be continuously replaced, such that resulting printing costs per page are high. [0006] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a typical thermal reactive paper. Referring to FIG. 1, a thermal reactive paper 10 has ink layers 12 and 13 of a predetermined color formed on first and second surfaces of a base sheet 11, respectively. Each of the ink layers 12 and 13 may have a monolayer structure comprised of a single color ink, or a multilayered structure for the display of two or more colors. For example, the ink layer 12 on the first surface of the base sheet 11 may have two layers for the display of magenta (M) and cyan (C) colors, while the ink layer 13 on the second surface may have a single layer for the display of a yellow (Y) color. The base sheet 11 is a transparent material. Additional details of thermal reactive paper are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0125206 of Bhatt et al., entitled "Thermal Imaging System", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0007] A thermal printer using the thermal reactive paper 10 typically comprises a thermal printhead (TPH) where a plurality of heating elements are arranged at a predetermined resolution in a widthwise direction of the thermal reactive paper 10. After printing is performed with respect to both sides of the thermal reactive paper 10, a color image appears on the thermal reactive paper as viewed from one side of the thermal reactive paper 10. [0008] The quality of a color image of the thermal printer is greatly dependent on the temperature of the TPH, such that the temperature of the TPH should be maintained at a substantially constant value during printing. In particular, when the printer is in a ready mode or prints the first page, if the temperature of the TPH is lower than the minimum target temperature, the color of the ink layer of the thermal reactive paper is insufficiently displayed. Thus, spots may be formed on the thermal reactive paper. [0009] To make the temperature of the TPH reach a value that is greater than the temperature of the minimum target temperature, the TPH needs to be preheated. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 1996-15679, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a structure to increase the temperature of a printhead by installing a generating device and a temperature sensor at a support portion for supporting the heating elements and heating the generating device according to the temperature of the printhead. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2004-142357, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, further discloses a structure including a printhead, a temperature sensor, a cooling fan, and a heater to constantly maintain the temperature of the TPH. [0010] However, a need remains for a system and method for effectively and efficiently controlling printing such that the temperature of a printhead of a thermal printer is maintained in a particular range. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] To substantially solve the above and other problems, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling printing such that the temperature of a printhead of a thermal printer is maintained in a particular range. [0012] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling printing which increases the temperature of a printhead in a process of preparing for printing. [0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling printing in a thermal printer is provided and comprises the steps of measuring a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH), heating the TPH by applying a TPH driving strobe pulse when the temperature of the TPH is less than a first set temperature, and printing on a thermal reactive paper when the temperature of the TPH is equal to or greater than the first set temperature. [0014] The step of measuring the temperature of the TPH is performed at a predetermined interval while in a print mode. [0015] The step of heating the TPH comprises the step of separating the TPH from a transfer path of the thermal reactive paper to prevent the TPH from contacting the thermal reactive paper when the thermal reactive paper is transferred to the print path. [0016] The step of heating the TPH further comprises the step of applying a maximum strobe pulse to the TPH. [0017] The step of heating the TPH still further comprises the step of notifying a user of the preheating of the TPH. [0018] The step of printing on the thermal reactive paper comprises the step of cooling the TPH when the temperature of the TPH is greater than a second set temperature that is greater than the first set temperature. [0019] The step of printing on the thermal reactive paper further comprises the step of warning the user that the temperature of the TPH is high. [0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling printing in a thermal printer is provided and comprises a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH) at a predetermined interval, and a control portion for heating the TPH by applying a TPH driving strobe pulse when the temperature of the TPH is less than a first set temperature, and printing on a thermal reactive paper when the temperature of the TPH is equal to or greater than the first set temperature. [0021] The apparatus further comprises a TPH elevating portion for separating the TPH from a transfer path of the thermal reactive paper, wherein the control portion preheats the TPH and drives the TPH elevating portion to prevent the TPH from contacting the thermal reactive paper when the thermal reactive paper is transferred to the print path. Continue reading... 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